Arsenal Women are approaching a pivotal summer, with 10 key players on expiring contracts, and here SheKicks gives our verdict on whether they should stay or leave.
Arsenal players on expiring contracts: Should they stay or go?
Stina Blackstenius – Stay
Blackstenius may not always be the automatic first choice, but her value to Arsenal cannot be understated.
The Sweden international has repeatedly delivered in decisive moments, most famously in the Champions League final against Barcelona.
Despite her limited starts, Blackstenius has scored six goals and provided three assists in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
With rotation crucial, Arsenal should do their best to keep Blackstenius. However, with one WSL club reportedly interested, the only question is whether she will want to move to start every week.
Photo: (Credit: Jayde Chamberlain/SPP)
Steph Catley – Stay
Catley remains one of Arsenal’s most reliable performers, with her consistency, positional intelligence, and leadership continuing to be important.
The 31-year-old is another player who should stay but Arsenal must also consider succession planning.
A short-term extension would allow the club to maintain stability while gradually integrating a younger option, such as Katie Reid when she returns from the ACL injury she suffered this season, into the role.
Laia Codina – Go
Codina is a borderline decision as it was hoped she would have a big future at Arsenal.
However, she struggled with injuries in 2025 and has struggled for game time when available. This season, she has made just two WSL appearances and has predominantly been an unused substitute.
It is hard to see her breaking into the starting XI, so this summer could be the right time for her to leave Arsenal.
Caitlin Foord – Go
Foord’s attacking influence has decreased this campaign significantly, with just one goal and no assists in 20 appearances across all competitions.
That compares to 13 goals and six assists in 38 appearances last season for the 31-year-old.
With Arsenal looking to freshen up their wing play with players like Olivia Smith, Foord is another player who could leave this summer.
Kim Little – Stay
Little might be turning 36 this summer, but she remains a consistent performer and Arsenal want her to stay.
Midfield is the one area that needs strengthening the most for Arsenal this summer if they are to challenge for the WSL title.
However, Little could stay at Arsenal in more of a transitional role, to challenge younger players who come through the door.
Katie McCabe – Stay
There are questions over McCabe’s future amid interest from NWSL sides.
However, the Republic of Ireland captain remains one of Arsenal’s most important players. Her versatility, durability and leadership make her difficult to replace, while her attacking output from wide areas continues to be a major asset.
In a squad facing multiple contract decisions, McCabe is one player Arsenal should move quickly to secure.
Beth Mead – Go
Mead is one of Arsenal’s all-time great players, scoring 76 goals in 236 appearances for the Gunners.
At 30, she remains a high-quality player, yet Arsenal appear to be moving towards a younger, more dynamic wide rotation.
With recruitment likely in attacking areas, this summer could be the right moment for both club and player to seek a new chapter. She will attract WSL interest, as shown by the London City Lionesses’ pursuit of Mead last summer.
Victoria Pelova – Go
Dutch midfielder Pelova is one of the more likely candidates to leave the Gunners this summer.
Arsenal need to improve their midfield and Pelova has not been able to replicate her displays from her first two years at the Gunners since her ACL rupture in June 2024.
Georgia Stanway is a likely addition, after she announced she would leave Bayern Munich this summer.
Leah Williamson – Stay
Williamson is perhaps the most likely Arsenal player on the list of expiring contracts who will renew.
The England captain is one of the club’s most important players and it would be a surprise to see her go.
Manuela Zinsberger – Go
Zinsberger has been a loyal servant to Arsenal, but recent seasons have seen her role diminish, even before her recent ACL injury.
Daphne van Domselaar is now the No.1 choice, while the Gunners signed Anneke Borbe in the summer and could bring in another goalkeeper this month.
Therefore, Zinsberger will likely be allowed to leave.
Will Arsenal sign anyone this month?
Arsenal have been one of the quietest sides during the January transfer window, with only Smilla Holmberg coming through the door.
The Gunners have been linked with German U23 goalkeeper Laura Dick, amid an injury crisis in goal.
Arsenal have also been linked with Stanway but that potential move would happen in the summer, when her contract at Bayern Munich expires.
